Friday, February 13, 2009

Blog Candy Fun

I promised Cami over at Our Craft Lounge that I would play her stamping game, and you get to be the winner. Today Our Craft Lounge is releasing 28 new stamp sets. Want to see them all? Click here. My friends thought it would be fun to give away all 28 sets to celebrate our second release, one of EACH new set!

Today, leave me a comment, and I'll draw a winner on Sunday (approx. Noon Pacific Time) for this fabulous Irish Blessing Set that I drew for OCL. Want to see who else is playing the Our Craft Lounge game? Go bug Cami for a complete list.

Meanwhile, here is the card I made using the new Irish Blessing set. I'm not usually one for patterned paper (or papercrafting in general, but when you have peer pressure things change...), but I had this great piece of striped Pool Fun paper by Reminisce. Too bad it was mostly blue. So I took my G14 and G17 Copics and toned it down with some stripes of green. Perfect! Now it's St. Patrick's Day paper in colors that match the artwork. The ribbon is from Offray, and the white paper is Neenah Classic Crest with Memento ink.

My drawing style for this setI drew this stamp set all in angles and loose chunks. Why? Because when I draw I get tired of drawing in the same style all the time. I encourage those of you who tend to draw all your stuff in one way, switch to a totally different style every now and then.

Add straight angles where you would usually have curves. Make some lines extra thick and some thin if you always draw with one line width. I love looking through old reference books and changing my style (like when I drew the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland). If you look through my sketchbooks you'll see a variety of styles. I see it as a challenge- have I drawn anything like this before? How can I push myself to be a better illustrator?

One nice thing about the sharp corners on this image- I can color in sharp edges and it looks good. My usual perfectly blended smooth objects would totally look out of place on this artwork. This totally works, and it is much easier to get it to look correct than if I had used perfect blends. Again, it forces me to change my mode of thinking and gets me to make different illustrations than usual.

When you get this stamp set it comes on a card just like you see here. I colored the examples on the set to help you get an idea of where to start your coloring process. I don't expect people to copy the artwork exactly, but know that I color all my examples with Copic markers.Something special to me about St. Patrick's Day is that I have a hidden talent. I can spot a 4 or 5 leaf clover without even trying. I'll be going for a walk, look down, and pick one out without thinking. I have found thousands over my lifetime. I usually dry them and give them away (think of this set as my personal 4 leaf clover that I'm giving away today). Just a bit of something many of you don't know about me :)

atyou Spica Glitter PensThe green and gold areas are atyou Spica pens. I haven't talked much about these pens, but now is a great time. Spica pens are micro glass-flake filled pigment pens. They're not gel pens and they're not multiliners. Their tip is actually firm plastic. You can never see the glitter on a computer, but they're really elegant and they're transparent. Right now they're available in 12 colors and a clear, but in April our 11 new colors should be coming in- they're gorgeous!

Unlike the markers, Spica need to be kept horizontal t0 even out the flakes. If they are dropped or shaken then the glitter inside gets unbalanced. Just store them point down for a while to encourage the glitter to flow correctly, then return them to the horizontal state. You don't want them to stay point down, or the glitter might overwhelm the tip.

I was informed by the Japanese manufacturer that the word "Atyou" is kind of like "Wow!" or "Oh!" it's a happy exclaimation. "Spica" is the name of one of the stars in the constellation Virgo. When you say "atyou Spica" don't think of it as the sound you make when you sneeze (even though it sounds that way) think of "Wow! Stars!". If you get a chance to see one in real life you'll agree that "Wow! Stars!" pretty much says it all.

On that note, I'd better get back to bed. Play along, leave a note, go visit the other designers for Our Craft Lounge and win a set of stamps. It's that easy. Happy Valentine's Day!

eta: Of the 28 new sets at OCL, I drew 24 of them. Can you guess which ones I did NOT draw?

Oh I just love Tooth Fairy Fun since I work in a dental office!!!! All of them are just a GREAT to start adding to my stamp collection. So excited to see the new colors of the pens. Love your card!!!!big hugs! Peggy

WONDERFUL candy!!! I love your blog. I actually DO try drawing more, thanks to you and your explanation of how to do things. I'm trying to be YOU when I grow up! LOL I have to try those Spica Pens... they sound pretty but I've never seen any that made much of a glitter on cards, so I'll give them a try. Thanks for the chance to win!

Thanks for the info on the Spicas, I have been wanting those for some time now and was actually wondering what the difference was between those and gelpens which is what I have already. NOW I guess I will just have to wait until April to get them all at once!!

I love the Whispy Blooms set, and Flowers for you set, also. Do you illustrate them all? those are by far my favorites!! GLAD to see the greenery!!WOOHOO!!

Have a great weekend and I will be checking to see if I won this set, too! I do love the choppy illustrations, so very cute!!

Cute sets - I think that my favorite is the garden set, although the St. Patrick's set is a close second. With the volume of 4-leaf clovers that you've found, you must have some special blessing! Thanks for continuing to let us share in your wonderful creativity.

I love the idea of drawing angles. You always push us to try something new. I'm not much of a stamper, YET! Maybe if I win one it will start me on my way. These pens sound great, I'll be looking for some of those. Thanks, Susan

Oh the temptation on my wallet, lol!!!! I love the new sets :-) I never really liked the Mad Hatter, but am seeing him in a whole different light. Wow - 28 new sets - ok, off to do a bit of shopping, lol.

OMG! This set is so dang cute! I love the bright colors you've used. And I'm Irish! Thank you for the chance to win this adorable set! Good luck to everyone! Here's my email just in case I win: syftk@comcast.netJennifer

Oh wow, I just love this card, we had a very special older lady at out local to who lived for St. Patty's Day, she would make at least 100 cards each year. We lost her last year, thanks for reminding me of her with your wonderful card.

I LOVE OUR CRAFT LOUNGE stamps and have used their Lola many times . Went and peaked at the new releases and all I can say is .... WOW ! I am in so much trouble as I want them all :-) The Granny set is perfect ..... especially when it is hard to find an older woman stamp ( that isn't wearing a Red Hat ! LOL ) . Congrats to Our Craft Lounge for these great new releases . AND I can hardly wait for the SPICA GLITTER PENS to relese their new colors as they just go hand-in-hand with the OCL stampms :-)

Love your card and your tutorials , maybe I will find a 4-leaf clover ( under the 4' of snow here ) and win this set :-) Thanks for offering such wonderful blog candy !

So did you draw Bear-ly Fishing? That's my favorite in the new releases! I probably won't win a single one... but I'm having so much fun hopping from blog to blog and playing along and seeing all the fabulous inspiration!

I love St Patrick's Day even though I'm not Irish. Maybe it's because after all the snow and cold of the Upper Peninsula of MII am really ready to see some of that wonderful Kelly green.I love your site. Thanks for all the work you put into it.

I have so enjoyed this blog and will follow you over to the Copic web site when you go. You are very talented and a great teacher! I would love to win this set since I have Irish blood in me. :) Thanks!

Finally - an Irish Blessing set that doesn't have to be blatantly all lime green! As the mother of an "Irish" daughter, (who really is mostly Irish and was born on 3/17), I am always looking for stamps that can be used for birthday on St. Patty's Day. You hit the mark! Many thanks. Marcia T.

I love doing projects for St Patricks Day, a personal holiday for me. Thanks for the chance at a treat from OCL, My guess at the sets you did not draw are Flowers for you, Whispy blooms and Whispy patterns

Marianne, I Love all the new stamp sets, but my favorite that I have been patiently waiting for is "Star Rocks"..I fell in Love with her when you did a tutorial at CHA...I Love Her!..I actually emailed you and asked if she was a stamp yet?...lol..

Your card is so cute and different..Thanks for the chance to win those awesome new stamp sets!Linzie

About Me

I am the North American Product Director for Copic Markers, working at Imagination International, Inc. I have written 4 books on coloring with Copics in conjunction with Colleen Schaan. I used to design stamps for Our Craft Lounge. The things I post on this blog are my personal opinions or techniques I have come across over the years- I will try to give credit where credit is due. These ramblings do not necessarily reflect the general opinions of Copic Markers/Imagination International Inc.
my direct e-mail is marianne@copicmarker.com

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Copic Glossary

ABS/Airbrush System- Copic Airbrush System. Works with either a compressor or Copic aircans. Uses either Sketch or Copic Markers. 1234TroubleshootingAlcohol Markers- Copic markers are alcohol (ethanol) based dye markers, that are known for being low-odor and giving smooth, vibrant colors. Since they are a dye, they will fade in bright lights, but they are acid free on most surfaces. Anything with alcohol in it will react with these inks. Any Copic marker type is refillable with replaceable tips. They will not cause paper to pill when going over it many times, nor will they dissolve photocopies.

Color Saturation- This is the first digit on a color name. Colors that are 00's, 10's, or 20's will be more vibrant (B05, G16, R29), while colors that are in the 70's, 80's or 90's have more gray added (B95, BG78, G94) and are closer to the neutral/earthy end of the color spectrum. Note: E (Earth) markers don't necessarily follow this rule.

Color Group- A sequential group of colors within one color family with the same first digit (i.e. E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, E39) where numbers ending in 0 are the lightest and 9 is the darkest, also called Natural Blending Group

Copic Certification- These are classes for teachers, store owners, or designers who want to learn techniques and advanced tips on using Copic markers, Airbrushing, etc. for papercrafting. Each class is about 7 hrs, and will be held regionally. Check here for listings of upcoming classes.

Spica Glitter Pens - also called atyou Spica pens. These fun, pigment based pens are filled with micro glass flakes, giving a very subtle, elegant sparkle. Keep stored flat, though if they are giving you troubles, try storing them point down overnite.

Various Ink- Also called Refill Ink or Re-inkers. Each bottle holds 25 cc's of ink. 322 colors available, empty bottle for mixing custom colors also available. Great for making alcohol ink effects, such as Faux Stone or covering large areas. When you see streaking in your work it's time to refill. You can refill directly from your bottle of ink, or you can use a booster needle. Try not to overfill.For refilling dry markers:Ciao- add 1 to 1.5 cc's ink Sketch- 2 cc's Copic 2-3 cc's Wide 3-4 cc's

Using this site for Classes

The content from each post is intended as tutorials and directions as well as useful information. If you would like to use these tutorials in a workshop you are more than welcome to, just give credit to this blog site and other suppliers mentioned in each post.

Thank You!

Marianne

Color Disclaimer

Colors on the screen do not match colors printed in color charts, and neither will match the marker colors in real life. To get a feel of what the colors will look like it's best if you get an actual color swatch.

To request a printed color chart, general catalog, Stamping with Copic Brochure, or Airbrushing with Copic Brochure you can e-mail orders@copicmarker.com (remember, printed charts aren't accurate)

Save a tree, get it digital!For digital copies of the above brochures please look through the Copic Library. Don't see what you need? e-mail me at marianne@copicmarker.com

Check the library also for refilling guides, airbrushing set-ups, and other useful literature.

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Books by Marianne Walker

These books are stand alone guides for anyone who wants to learn more tricks for coloring with their markers. All images to color are in the back of the book, along with color charts and guides. Each book is printed in English and Español SRP $9.95

Shadows & Shading: A beginner's guide to lighting placementThis book is for teaching you where to accurately put shadows and highlights when coloring with any medium. Includes clear lighting guides to help you plan where to place your shadows & highlights. Distributed by Copic/Imagination International, Inc.